Seeking God's Counsel

Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions: but they did not ask counsel of the Lord. Joshua 9:14

Some decisions seem easy enough. So much so that it seems we can handle them ourselves. At least that is what Joshua thought, along with all the men of Israel, when Gibeonites showed up dressed in rags, carrying old wineskins and moldy bread. Joshua had been having great success in taking the land that God had given them. Except for the incident with Achan at Ai (Joshua 7), success had been theirs.

So when these men showed up looking like they were worn from travel, it seemed obvious that they were not from around those parts. Because of this Joshua and the men of Israel made a covenant with them that they would not attack them, but they had been deceived. These men were from a neighboring city which the Lord was giving to the Israelites, and because of their hasty decision they were not able to do what the Lord would have had them do now that they made a covenant in his name.

This should serve as a reminder to us, never to think we can make some decisions without seeking the Lord in prayer. Satan is prowling around like a lion seeking whom he may devour. He is quick to deceive and many Christians have faced the results of not seeking the Lord even when the situation seemed simple enough to handle.

What decisions are you facing today? Do they all seem like simple ones that you can handle? What about some of the bigger ones you have coming up in the near future? Have you gone to your knees in prayer? Do not forget our Lord’s eyes move to and fro across the face of the earth looking to be strong on behalf of those who trust in Him (2 Ch. 16:9).

Also, remember we have an enemy and one of His greatest deceptions is to get us to think we can handle things with our own wisdom and strength. Go to the feet of your Lord today and seek his will in all of the decisions you face. He will not fail to show his strength on your behalf, and the deceptions of your enemy will be foiled by the wisdom of our God.

Without prayer, we’re left exposed,
When by Satan, we are opposed.
But in God's counsel we are secure
For His wisdom will endure.

-Doug Eaton-